BARNARD — Efforts to raise more than $500,000 to buy a now-closed general store in the central Vermont town of Barnard are more than halfway to the financial goal and backers of the idea are now looking for someone to run the store once it can be reopened.

The Barnard Community Trust has collected $280,000 since it began fundraising in June.

Two weeks ago the trust began seeking “letters of interest” from prospective proprietors.

Trust member Rick Carbin says officials are looking for someone who can manage the business at a profit while agreeing to some conditions about the services and items offered.

Prior to its closing in May, the store was one of the oldest continuously run general stores in Vermont, dating to 1832.